QUICK LOGGING
The Log and Capture window is how you will get the footage into Final Cut. You access it as shown on the left image and the Log and Capture windowwill come up. This will be a straight capture where I want everything to come in. You set the Reel and Description. I will usually add "20090117_CoolReef", for instance, there. It means I am capturing the tape shot on January 17, 2009 on Cool Reef and all shots will be named 20090117_CoolReef-1, 20090117_CoolReef-2 etc. I like to have the when and where right in the title. you can use whatever you like, but a distinct naming system is real important.
In the shots below I captured Waves. When that is set I will start the camera (you will see a play button in the log and capture window/playback controls), start the camera by pressing the play button, press the "Now" button in the lower right hand side, then grab some coffee.